Gasgoo Munich- China's first mandatory national standard for L2 combined driver assistance systems has been approved. Organized by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), the "Safety Requirements for Combined Driving Assistance Systems of Intelligent and Connected Vehicles" (GB 47955—2026) recently won approval from the State Administration for Market Regulation and the Standardization Administration of China. It takes full effect on January 1, 2027.
This marks the country's first mandatory safety technical code specifically targeting L2 combined driver assistance systems. It signals the end of a fragmented era governed by voluntary standards, establishing a unified safety baseline for the industry.
Combined driving assistance systems help drivers manage lateral and longitudinal control under specific conditions—provided the human remains fully aware and in charge. China's intelligent connected vehicle sector has hit a high-growth window. MIIT data shows that since 2026, 70% of new passenger cars have featured combined driving assistance, while penetration for models offering Navigate on Autopilot (NOA) has topped 30%. Yet as the market swelled, mandatory safety rules for L2 systems remained absent, fueling industry chaos and raising safety concerns.
Grounded in industry realities, GB 47955—2026 balances technical feasibility with practical enforcement. The standard breaks L2 systems into three distinct tiers: Basic Single Lane, Basic Multi-Lane, and NOA—each with specific safety mandates. Basic Single Lane supports adaptive cruise and lane keeping but blocks auto-changing; Basic Multi-Lane allows changes only when triggered by the driver's turn signal; NOA permits automatic lane changes and ramp navigation, but strictly forbids crossing solid lines. This classification effectively eliminates the wiggle room automakers once used to market vague capabilities like "L2.5" or "L2.9."
On safety, the code sets baseline requirements covering functionality, data logging, and manufacturer accountability. Recognizing that these systems are meant to assist—not replace—the driver, it also sets strict rules for human-machine interaction, user manuals, and training. To verify compliance, the standard establishes a multi-layered evaluation system, combining track testing, road trials, and document audits to fully assess system safety.
Globally, the U.N. World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29) released technical regulation UN R171 for these systems in March 2024. While aligned with UN R171's core principles, GB 47955—2026 imposes more detailed demands on operational design domains, functionality, driver monitoring, and user warnings. Crucially, it adds track testing criteria tailored to China's complex traffic conditions, ensuring the standard fits the local road environment and regulatory landscape.
Moving forward, the MIIT plans to tighten product access management and press companies to shoulder their safety responsibilities, ensuring compliant use of driver assistance systems. The agency will also accelerate the rollout of other mandatory standards—covering automated driving systems—to build a comprehensive testing and regulatory framework, guiding the industry toward high-quality development.
